When Reddox refused his offer sheet, it was surprising that that even got out, since Ladislav Smid and Gilbert Brule didn’t accept their original offer sheet either.

These are depth signings and I’d bet both will be more involved in helping the Falcons than they will plying their trade with the Oilers.

Reddox will probably be the 14th forward on the team when camp breaks. He has shown he can be a reliable forward in a limited role, and despite his size he actually competes harder on the puck than most of the Oiler forwards who are bigger than him.

But if the Oilers have to ice a lineup that has Pouliot, Pisani and Reddox in the same game then they are in trouble because they all have similar traits, although Pisani is the best of the bunch.

As for Potulny he seems destined for the Falcons, and he is a good signing for Falcons fans, but Oiler fans shouldn’t be to giddy about this signing. I don’t see how he ever becomes a regular on this team. Still you need depth on the farm if you want the kids to at least be competitive in the AHL.

While Reddox gives the Oilers depth, I don’t see his re-signing making them a better team. He doesn’t address what Pat Quinn said he wanted from his bottom six forwards: size and hard to play against. While Reddox at least competes for the puck, he won’t ever have defencemen thinking about blowing snow if he is on the forecheck.

Depth signings for the Oilers, is what these two are, but the problem is they are small forwards. Do the Oilers really need more depth in that department? I say no.

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Well said. I can't understand why all our depth guys have to be smurfs. Potulny isn't that big either and I don't think he has the skills to ever be a top six, so he is only good for the Falcons, and I never watch them so that doesn't help me...ugh...is it September yet..

When Reddox refused his offer sheet, it was surprising that that even got out, since Ladislav Smid and Gilbert Brule didn’t accept their original offer sheet either.

Whay are you surprised that got out? Unsigned qualifying offers expire on July 15th; anyone who hasn't signed by that point has obviously rejected the offer.

It was obvious that Reddox had rejected it, and anyone familiar with the CBA wouldn't even need to see a story confirming that - all they'd need to see would be the absence of a story saying he had signed it.

This is turning out to be one of the worst summers in recent memory, at least when Lowe was in charge we had some optimism heading into the season (post lockout anyways). Not saying that Tambellini is doing a bad job, but he's not really doing a good job as there's nothing really to critique. At this point I'd take anything, for the sake of doing something. If that means bringing back MacT himself as our third line center, do it at least it'll give Willis' somebody new to run a blog on, he's running out of players.

So Brule and Smid rejected there offers, I didn’t know that what is Brule seeking a one way deal or more money?

The rejection isn't unusual. All the team has to do is give a 10% increase to retain their rights, then they negotiate from there. Brule would love to get a one-way deal, because if he gets a two-way it makes it much easier to send him down to the AHL.

Jonathan Willis wrote:

Whay are you surprised that got out? Unsigned qualifying offers expire on July 15th; anyone who hasn’t signed by that point has obviously rejected the offer.

My point was it happens all the time to marginal players. Is Reddox not agreeing to it really that big of a deal. It wasn't like teams were going to be salivating over him.

Will any of the last four play? You listed O'Marra, that guy is so lazy it is hilarious. Just because they are listed with size doesn't mean they can play. Depth means you have guys that can actually fill a void when one presents itself. If Jacques and Stortini got hurt do they have anyone that could crash, bang and fight with regularity? I'm sure Reddox and Potulny don't fit that mold.

Jonathan Willis wrote:
J-F Jacques, Zack Stortini, Steve MacIntyre, Colin McDonald, Ryan Stone, Geoff Paukovich, Ryan O’Marra.
Will any of the last four play? You listed O’Marra, that guy is so lazy it is hilarious. Just because they are listed with size doesn’t mean they can play. Depth means you have guys that can actually fill a void when one presents itself. If Jacques and Stortini got hurt do they have anyone that could crash, bang and fight with regularity? I’m sure Reddox and Potulny don’t fit that mold.

He would be the best option, but he is more of crasher than a guy who would be willing to drop the leather. Stone isn't signed yet, although he doesn't have many options, so he probably will in the future. I just don't see their depth as a bunch of guys who are really close to being legit NHLers. They have improved because Minard at least has some skill to his game, but players with size that can play are very few in this organization. It has been a problem for awhile.

AHL goals are different than NHL goals. Nobody is scared of driving to the net in the A. Potulny's 38 didn't mean anything because in 8 NHL games, he had 3 assists and was a minus. Schremp had 3 assists in 4 games and was a plus player.

Potulny's skills are more suited to the minors. Reddox battled pretty well for loose pucks. But to stick in the show under Pat Quinn, he will have to show more of an edge, like a young Darcy Tucker.

Ogden Brother wrote:
Stone?
He would be the best option, but he is more of crasher than a guy who would be willing to drop the leather. Stone isn’t signed yet, although he doesn’t have many options, so he probably will in the future. I just don’t see their depth as a bunch of guys who are really close to being legit NHLers. They have improved because Minard at least has some skill to his game, but players with size that can play are very few in this organization. It has been a problem for awhile.

Ya I'd be comfortable with Stone filling in for one of JFJ/Stortini for 15/20 games per year (not that I know alot about him other then what I've read)

Also, as for the fighting, if we really needed a scrapper (ie against Wild/Ducks etc) Big MacT could sub in for Stone those games.

But they all have muscle; and Jacques, Stortini, MacIntyre, McDonald and Stone are all 4th line material (except maybe MacIntyre).

If you're looking for top-nine guys with muscle, fine, but a lack of top-end AHL guys with muscle isn't an issue. Of course those guys (like the since-departed Boulerice and Sestito) are a dime a dozen and pretty easy to come by via the waiver wire.

Maybe this team needs more capable grit, but that's got nothing to do with the guys in the Reddox/Potulny range.

Oh, I don't think Paukovich can play either. But then again, there's a bunch of guys I who I don't think can play in the NHL on plenty of NHL rosters - Boulerice, Sestito and MacIntyre all qualify this past season.

The idea is that guys who can crash and bang and play are rare, and as 4th line-quality types go the Oilers are actually pretty well stocked (Jacques, Stortini, Stone).

Thats debateable. Guys like Bougenicki, Bochenski, Pittis, and others score at a point-per-game level in the A, and can't do $hit in the NHL. Hence the term "career minor-leaguer". It just takes something more in the NHL, with some guys it is skill, with others it is will.

You ever read Don Cherry's books? You should - he's much better on the printed page than on TV. Anyways, read about the lives of minor leaguers. These guys play just as hard or harder than the average NHL'er; it makes sense, really, since they're taking the same risks for a lot less money.

Career minor leaguers don't lack physical courage; if they did they'd be selling insurance somewhere.

Oh, I don’t think Paukovich can play either. But then again, there’s a bunch of guys I who I don’t think can play in the NHL on plenty of NHL rosters - Boulerice, Sestito and MacIntyre all qualify this past season.

I think the fact Sestito played one game and Boulerice two shows they weren't NHLers and far from depth guys.